Psychologist Marsha M. Linehan developed dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in the late 1980s as a means to more effectively treat chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is an evidence-based psychotherapy that combines techniques from western cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psycho-educational modules, and eastern mindfulness-based practices to foster the systematic learning of new emotional coping skills. Currently, DBT is not only considered to be the gold standard form of treatment for individuals diagnosed with BPD, but according to Behavioral Tech has been found to be effective in treating other mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders (e.g., bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, etc.), transdiagnostic emotion dysregulation, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and more. DBT empowers a client to learn applicable social and emotional skills, healthy coping mechanisms, and useful mindfulness techniques to enable a client to effectively navigate stress, live in the moment, regulate emotions, and improve relationships with others. Dialectical behavior therapy has become a mainstream form of psychotherapy, with providers spanning all over the world.
The First Step: Finding A DBT Provider
There is a vast number of mental health clinicians specializing in DBT, which can make beginning the search for DBT therapy seem overwhelming. To help narrow down your options consider the following suggestions:
- Get recommendations:
- Speak to your PCP (primary care provider) as he or she will likely be able to provide you with list of reputable DBT specialist in the area.
- Check out some online sources: many mental health professionals have websites available for potential clients to review and/ or are included in an online compilation of reputable mental health professionals, such as:
- Delve into your network of trusted family and friends to ask for references.
- Understand costs: each therapist will charge a fee for their services. The costs will vary, as different providers charge different rates. It is important to understand your out-of-pocket financial responsibility prior to selecting a DBT therapist, to ensure their services are not financially prohibitive.
- Plan an initial meeting with several therapists: each mental health clinician renders services that are directly informed by his or her personal and professional experiences, education, and personality. Although it may seem arduous, planning on and meeting with more than one DBT therapist can help you make an informed decision.
Another helpful resource when searching for a therapist specializing in DBT is the DBT Clinical Resource Directory. This directory is maintained by Behavioral Tech and allows you to search for clinicians and programs that have gone through DBT training with Behavioral Tech, LLC, or the Behavioral Research & Therapy Clinics (BRTC) at the University of Washington.
Treatment In Calabasas
Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.
The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.
